When I first decided to become minimalist, I can remember looking in my closet and seeing 100, maybe 120 different articles of clothing.
I cut my wardrobe in half to 60 items. But then I discovered Project 333 started by Courtney Carver. After trying it, I cut my closet in half again.
Nowadays, I own about 33 to 35 articles of clothing. Somewhere during that process, I started wearing basically the same thing every day: a V-neck t-shirt, pants, and black shoes.
I have come to love wearing the same thing each day. And I’m not alone. A lot of people are doing the same thing.
Here are some of the reasons why I wear the same thing every day:
1. Fewer decisions. This is by far the most popular reason why people decide to adopt a streamlined capsule wardrobe.
Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision making. Wearing the same outfit each day removes picking out clothes as a decision to be made.
The truth of the matter is, you have more important decisions to make than what you’re going to wear each morning.
2. Less time and energy wasted. When you wear the same thing every day, you save time deciding what you’re going to wear each morning. And you save significant energy over the course of the week.
Just think about how much time goes into maintaining, and organizing, and taking care of your clothes. Laundry, for example. When you decide to wear the same thing every day, all of that becomes easier. You save time in the morning and energy over the course of a week.
3. Less stress. As a result of fewer decisions and more time, wearing the same thing means you have less stress in the morning.
It also means you experience less stress over the course of the day. I don’t ever have to think about, “Oh man, am I wearing the right thing today? I wish I would’ve worn x instead.” I wear the same thing, and it works perfect for almost every occasion. I love it. You will too.
4. Save money. The average American family spends $2000 a year on clothing—despite already having closets full of clothes.
For some reason, we just keep buying more and more and more. A lot of this expense is wasted on clothes that are never worn—trial and error fashion that ends up wasting time, energy, and money.
5. Feeling put together. Every moment of every day my clothes fit, match, and just so happen to be my favorites. All day long, I feel like I’m wearing something I enjoy and look good wearing.
6. Less waste. The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothing every year. Deciding to wear the same thing is good for the planet, it’s good for you, and it’s good for everyone else as well.
7. An iconic look. Wearing the same thing every day is the quickest way to become famous. You become known for your particular style, you look put together, you look classy, you look comfortable, and you look confident. Because you’re not constantly chasing the newest fashions, you’ll communicate confidence in who you are and how you look.
I love wearing the same thing every day. You will too.
If you’re looking for help to get started on this in your own life, let me suggest: The Minimalist Wardrobe: A Practical Guide to Owning Fewer Clothes.
Adapted from: 6 Reasons I Wear The Same Thing Every Day.
Freddy Panes says
I agree with all of the above Joshua. My wife is different and she always encourages me but to no avail. I love my dickies pants, dark navy blue. They are tough and always looking neat on me. I love the crew T-shirts which I aways buy from Costco. But I never pinch money on my tools. I always buy the best. I have a few nice shirts and pants for church events. Reminds me of my Mum saying: “You are going to attend Church services, be respectful and dress appropriately for the service.”
Pam Jeannet says
This goes for jewelry too. Everyday for many years now, I’ve worn only my wedding rings and my cross necklace. The same cross necklace.
I too, wear jeans everyday. My shirts vary a little, but mostly I wear a t-shirt with them. In a very rare case, I have a pair of black pants to fall back on.
Jennifer says
It is definitely your recognition style. The biggest distraction in your video from Mexico was that you WEREN’T wearing a black t-shirt lol
Beth C says
My brain needs variety. I’m pretty frugal, admire minimalism, and have come a long way toward incorporating it into my life but I start to chafe at routine. Fashion is so much fun, I like to wear a totally different look, walk down a different street, eat new food, or shake up my daily routine. I continue to work toward a minimalist lifestyle but I don’t think that has to involve dull sameness. Life is too short to put myself in a box.
Andrea says
In the decision making section is also the added burden of shopping. I absolutely hate shopping for clothes. I know what I want, I know where to get it I know how much I want to spend. Only problem I’ve come across (as a woman) is when they stop making one of the items of clothing I love…a bra in (and not the stiff, stuffed bras called shelf bras) tank top. Bummer.
Caryn Westman says
I’ve was a business woman for most of my adult life, having to dress for success, if you will. I learned early on in the conservative investment business I worked in that if I wanted to fit in I had to dress the part like the men. I wore 2 basic black suits with skirts (wasn’t so kosher to wear slacks at work then) and had white cotton shirts with french cuffs that required cufflinks, and I went to a dry cleaner and insisted on the same light starched white shirt service that they gave to me (they always charged more for women’s clothes than men). That was my uniform – black suit, white starched shirt with french cuffs and cufflinks, and plan lower healed black pumps, a beautiful wrist watch, and always some kind of stockings – never bare legs. I have naturally curly hair and had to blow dry straight to be more conservative. My extravagance as a woman was big apple red nail polish and a reddish tint lip gloss and only mascara and a beige eye shadow – never loud makeup, never wild haircuts, never loud jewelry. I just had variations on the white shirt – different collars. On weeks I traveled, the same suit and black pumps every day, just a change of shirt.
Now, I still follow minimalist views, and wear the same black ponte pant every day, the same style black v-neck shirt or cashmere like sweater, and a black sweater (2-3 styles of collars, pullover and button type) or black shawl collar top. And I wear flats now instead of heels, but always round toe, plain black, no embellishments.
It makes life so easy. No one says you wore that yesterday. No one cares, we bring that on ourselves. As long as your clothes are clean and fresh, that’s all you should think about.
Susan Jones says
I agree with what you said. My first capsule wardrobe was St. John. Three jackets, three skirts in different lengths, three of their iconic tanks in different colors, three pairs of shoes in varying heel heights. Not cheap, but always polished and professional in that matter to my clientele.
I follow the same formula today. Only now it isn’t Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. It is Duluth trading Company. Three pairs of quick dry pants that can convert into capris. Three T-shirts with short sleeves, three T-shirts with long sleeves. It works.
anne says
Hi Joshua,
I really value your articles they’re always good food for thought and
a plan to follow throught with an action of some kind.
I was particularly interested in this article….but I wish it was written by your wife! Men can wear the same basic suit, white shirt and a few ties, a belt and shoes & he’s set (for public appearances like work etc). It seems the “dress code” has always been simpler for men. Just a reflection not intended to offend anyone.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear a version of this by a woman. Would you consider that? A woman whose job is outside of the home and has certain dress codes, written or unwritten. Would you consider a female guest columist to write on this topic, as a successful minimalist :)
joshua becker says
You can find female examples right here Anne: 8 Reasons Successful People Wear the Same Clothes Every Day
Not to mention the entire inspiration for this post came from a woman who works outside the home as mentioned in the second paragraph.
Peggy says
I would really get tired of looking at the same clothing on my husband every day. My husband is very nice looking man, but come on, variety is the spice of life. Would you want to eat “taste” the same thing every day. My brain needs variety, not expensive, not extreme, but would you want to look at the same half acre of land every day? Never go anywhere new to see a different view?
Debbie Wilson says
Agree! I enjoy my colorful retirement wardrobe too much to ever just wear black. My jeans are black mostly, and I have one khaki and one blue. My tops are all fun, and a great variety. Add a few pretty long summer dresses and I rock! God created color to enjoy so I am!
Jess says
I am an educator and I have used a uniform for years! While not the same as Josh’s, I have 8 dresses that I rotate through with 12 cardigans. I wear leggings or tights in the winter and bare legs in warm weather. I have four scarves and three necklaces that I use for some variety too. It makes getting dressed so simple because I just wear what’s on the next hanger.
Wanda Brethorst says
Look at Caryn & Sue above…
Eve says
My husband wears only black pants, black, blue and burgundy polo shirts and black shoes. He has black dress pants and dress shoes for formal which is rare because he’s a musician. One dress shirt, He always look nice. Jackets are a black hoodie type and a brown, heavy duty coat. He borrows a black blazer from his brother sometimes.
It’s different in some ways for a woman. I stick to basics in color and style but acessiories may be in colors. A jacket can change that black tee shirt and black pants into go anywhere outfits. So I have a few more jackets than he does. Denim, grey, black that looks like leather is my basics. One trench coat. One dress jacket.
It works for us.
steve says
i have worn only coveralls for 40 years. four kinds depending on my activities and the weather.
Sally says
hahahahaa …. an old local petrol station owner in my old town wore overalls too , rain hail and shine. I was once told he even went to a funeral in them! love it :)
Mark says
I’m sure someone asked it but after a quick scan I didn’t see it. I too love basic V neck shirts but I haven’t found many that last long. Any suggestions on where you buy/order shirts from?